Välity

Välitys is a Finnish noun referring to the act of mediating, conveying, or connecting parties in order to enable a transaction, the transfer of information, or access to goods and services. It denotes the role of an intermediary who brings together buyers and sellers, borrowers and lenders, or other interested parties.

The term comes from the verb välittää, meaning to convey, relay, or mediate. It is used across various contexts to describe the function of bridging parties, distributing products, or transmitting messages.

Common uses of välitys appear in different sectors. In real estate, kiinteistönvälitys describes the mediation process that facilitates property sales or rentals. In finance and insurance, vakuutus- and rahoitusvälitys refer to intermediaries who help customers find suitable products and complete transactions. The concept also appears in supply chains and distribution networks, where intermediaries connect manufacturers with retailers or end customers, as well as in service sectors such as talent or event booking (artistinvälitys).

Regulation and practice regarding välitys vary by sector and jurisdiction. In many markets, mediation services are subject to consumer protection rules and professional licensing, with transparency requirements and duties to disclose conflicts of interest. Remuneration is commonly compensation-based, often referred to as a välityspalkkio in contexts like real estate mediation.

Beyond commerce, välitys can also describe the transmission of information or messages through media, digital platforms, or other communication channels, highlighting the broader, non-transactional sense of mediation.